A Closer Look: The Tadano AC 2.040-1 All-Terrain Crane

    Posted On: July 14, 2022

    Tadano gave the AC 2.040-1 a main boom that can telescope under heavy loads and has class-leading capacities in steep boom positions. (Photo courtesy of Tadano.)

    Tadano has launched a new model in its AC family of all-terrain cranes, namely the two-axle AC 2.040-1. The new EU Stage V-compliant crane, which can lift up to 40 tons (40 metric tons), has a fully hydraulic, 115.5-foot (35.2-meter) main boom. Especially strong in steep positions, the AC 2.040-1’s fully extended boom can lift up to a class-leading 16,755 pounds (7,600 kilograms) at a radius of 26.3 ft (8 m).

    Best Of Both Worlds

    The AC 2.040-1 is notable as the first joint development between engineers in Tadano’s two major locations in Germany. (Tadano Group acquired Demag Mobile Cranes in summer 2019 after nearly three decades of collaboration as Tadano Faun GmbH.)

    “That’s why this market launch is really special for us—after all, the new AC 2.040-1 is the first crane to combine the best of our two worlds with the know-how from Zweibrücken and Lauf,” says Tadano’s All-Terrain Crane Product Line VP, Dr. Frank Schröder. For example, the AC 2.040-1’s ergonomic cab comes from the Zweibrücken, Germany, operation, which will create crane superstructures while their carriers will be produced in Lauf.

    As-Is Performance

    The AC 2.040-1’s main boom can lift up to 70,327 lbs (31,900 kg) without additional sheaves. “This enables the AC 2.040-1 to take care of a very broad range of lifts without carrying out time-consuming setup changes, making it both a fast and versatile machine,” Schröder says.

    The boom can also telescope under heavy loads. Its height under hook can be augmented to a maximum of 154.2 ft (47 m) by a 29.5-ft (9 m) extension that is offsettable by up to 40 degrees.

    On The Road

    The mobile AC 2.040-1 has two-wheel drive and several modes of four-wheel steering. The cab of its carrier has a heated air suspension seat, heated mirrors, and a rearview camera. It also features the Tadano Surround View camera system for 360-degree visibility, designed to help drivers see pedestrians and cyclists in turns. In addition, the system also displays the crane’s counterweight tailswing radius and outrigger extension range, which aid in positioning the machine on site.

    As a taxi crane, the AC 2.040-1 can carry up to 2,425 lbs (1,100 kg) of counterweight while remaining under an axle load limit of 13.2 t (12 mt). Tadano says the carrier is quiet while traveling and has good acceleration. Its top travel speed is 52.8 mph (85 km/h). On the jobsite, its gradeability is rated up to 63%.

    The AC 2.040-1 gets its power from a 310-horsepower (231-kilowatt) Cummins B6.7 diesel engine. The motor is EU Stage V emissions-compliant.

    Electric Power Option

    The IC 1 Plus control system in the AC 2.040-1 automatically detects the crane’s amount of counterweight. Using this, a capacity radar, the superstructure’s slewing angle, the outrigger configuration, and other factors, the system determines the crane’s lifting capacity for each boom position. Tadano’s Flex Base system allows for asymmetrical outrigger deployment to accommodate irregularly shaped work spaces.

    Like Tadano’s AC 3.045-1 City and AC 4.080-1 cranes, the AC 2.040-1 is available with the optional E-Pack with a 43-HP (32-kW) electric motor. The E-Pack is quiet and produces no emissions, making it suitable for operation at night or indoors.

    The AC 2.040-1 comes with a removable rear storage box with an optional wood rack. This feature has proven to be popular on Tadano’s ATF 40G crane. The AC 2.040-1 also supports Tadano’s IC 1 Remote telematics system, which provides fleet management. IC 1 Remote reports the machine’s location, operating info, job history, and maintenance information, and facilitates remote error code diagnosis by tech personnel.

    The Fruits Of Collaboration

    The manufacturer plans to release 15 crane models in the new AC family over the next few years under the Tadano brand. Each will share a standardized crane control system, cab, and technologies with the AC 2.040-1.

    Source: Tadano

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